The proposed Zero-Emission Forklift Regulation was released in February, but several changes have been made. This regulation will stop the sale and purchase of internal combustion engine (ICE) forklifts in California. Here’s a quick summary of changes since the previous report from OneCharge.
Executive Summary:
- The capping provision limits Class IV forklifts to a minimum of 25% turnover for the first four years.
- The capping provision also limits Class V forklifts to a minimum of 15% turnover for the first six years.
- The phase-out period for Class IV was reduced from 13 years to 10 years.
- The start of the phase-out period for small Class V fleets (25 or fewer) was pushed back to 2029.
- Reporting requirements are reduced.
- Rental agencies will follow the same phase-out.
- Fleets renting forklifts are no longer subject to a 30-day annual limit
- Individual transactions do not need to be reported to the California Air Resources Board.
Zero-Emission Forklift Regulation: Updated Phase-Out Schedules for Class IV and Class V Forklifts and Rental Agencies
A capping provision was added to the regulation. Given the short time before the phase-out starts, it was agreed that a limit on how quickly a fleet must turn over its equipment was needed. Therefore, companies are only required to turn over a minimum of 25% of their Class IV forklifts during the first four years of the regulation’s phase-out. At the same time, the requirement for Class V forklifts was amended to a minimum of 15% per year over the first six years of the phase-out. This gives businesses more time to make the change and decide on a range of issues, such as the type of forklift batteries that should be used in their new zero-emission forklift fleet.
Despite these caps on a company’s turnover rate, the overall phase-out timeframe for Class IV ICE forklifts was reduced. Instead of having 13 years to complete the change to a zero-emission forklift fleet, companies must make the change in only 10 years. For small fleets, defined as 25 Class V ICE forklifts or fewer, the phase-out start has been pushed back by three years to 2029. This benefits smaller companies that may have a harder time making the transition. In addition, overall, the reporting requirements for the transition have been reduced, making it easier for companies to handle the change without having to do as much paperwork.
The provisions for rental agencies have also been changed so that these entities will now be required to follow the same phase-out schedules as fleet operators. However, fleets that rent forklifts are no longer subject to the prior 30-day annual limit, and rental agencies will no longer have to report individual transactions to the California Air Resources Board.
This changeover has many companies asking questions about zero-emission forklift options. What are the best forklift battery types? Should they invest in maintenance-free lithium-ion forklift batteries? What’s the right battery for their use? What are the main trade-offs between battery types? Are you wondering how to choose lithium forklift batteries? Check out the OneCharge News and Blog page to learn more.
Source: OneCharge